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Rangers monitoring Darvish's health as season ends

Rangers monitoring Darvish's health as season ends

9/24/13: Yu Darvish goes 5 1/3 strong frames vs. the Astros, allowing just two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out nine

By T.R. Sullivan and Master Testfasion
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MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish has struggled with his command in his last two starts, walking 10 batters in 10 1/3 innings. It could be a physical problem, although it's unclear if Darvish is dealing with general fatigue or if there is something specifically wrong with him.

Darvish was vague when asked about it after the Rangers' 3-2 victory on Tuesday night.

"Everybody is dealing with something, and I'm dealing with something," Darvish said.

Darvish lasted just 5 1/3 innings on Tuesday night, and has now pitched 204 innings on the season. He is scheduled to start on Sunday against the Angels.

"Now that I've thrown over 200 innings, I've done the minimum of my job," Darvish said. "There are still games to play and I'd like to pitch as many innings as I can."

Darvish spent two weeks on the disabled list in July with a strained trapezius muscle in his shoulder and missed one start. But his 204 innings are the 14th most in the American League going into Wednesday.

"Everybody has issues, his are no different," manager Ron Washington said. "The grind of a Major League season is like no other grind anywhere else."